Police in Nashua get high marks in review

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NASHUA - The Nashua Police Department has again successfully renewed its international accreditation status, this time achieving a perfect score.

Last month, representatives from the force received a reaccreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of the assessment. The reaccreditation, in essence, shows that the policies and procedures the officers and employees of the Nashua Police Department follow are tried and tested throughout the country and determined to be the best practices," said William Pease, accreditation manager for the Nashua Police Department.

The reaccreditation award was presented during the CALEA Conference on Saturday in Charleston, S.C.

After a comprehensive review, the department was recognized for having an outstanding on-site assessment with none of the 480 standards files returned for correction, Pease said. It is rare to have 100 percent compliance with CALEA mandates, Pease said, adding most departments typically have between 10 and 20 files that need corrections.

"This really makes us a better police department because there are now built-in checks and balances," said Police Chief John Seusing. "It is kind of like an independent audit."

The reaccreditation process is a full study of the police department's management and operations conducted every three years, explained Pease.

In addition to receiving reaccreditation status, the city's police force was also commended by the review panel for its various community policing efforts.

The report also recognized the department for outstanding work in administration, investigative services and training, said Pease.

The Nashua Police Department began its renewal process last December when a team of assessors visited the station to examine all aspects of the department's procedures, management, operations, support services and more.

The local police force has been accredited since 1991, and reaccredited in 1996, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2010, according to the department's website, which states that Nashua is one of eight departments in the state that are internationally accredited.

During the reaccreditation process, the assessors toured the station, reviewed various files and reports, met with personnel, interviewed staff, participated in ride-alongs and sought community input.

Accreditation is completely voluntarily, Seusing said.

"It is just part of who we are now," said the chief. "We are very proud of that."

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